[Robert_S]

( Sorry if this should go in another section)

I am trying to plan the layout of my new allotment whilst the weedkiller is getting to work. I am wanting to grow lots of different things, but will be concentrating on those that I buy regularly, so potatoes, onions, garlic, tomatoes are going to be the main ones. It would be nice to be as self sufficient on those as possible. I am going to go for raised beds mainly, for a couple of reasons (plus polytunnel etc), but I gather that potatoes aren't really all that suited for raised beds...is this right? And how much land should I set aside to produce a reasonable harvest of spuds. We probably get through not much more than 3-5kg / month between us.

[GreenOwl]

Have a look at this and see if it helps.

http://www.allotment-garden.org/articles/Planning_the_Plot.php

I do grow spuds in my beds but basically you get less in in narrow beds rather than in traditional layouts.

If you want to be self-sufficient in spuds you will need to plant a lot of them.  I don't know the size of your plot but probably a quarter to a half of it.

[Runwell-Steve]

Personally I would plant whats expensive in the shops.

You can pick up a 25Kg sack of spuds for about £7 so I personally wouldn't bother.

By all means grow some earlies as they taste wonderful freshly dug, but I'm not sure I'd bother with too many main crop.

I tend to grow the things that are either expensive to buy in the shop, but cheap to grow, Strawberries / Raspberries / Mange Tout / mixed salad, or things where the taste is so much better when you grow it yourself, peas / tomatoes / new potatoes / courgettes.

I also grow Runner and French Beans as they are a doddle to grow.

[Lardman]

+1 for what Steve said...

[sion01]

I would be very wary of giving half your plot over to potatoes as even growing them on the same plot every other year would still lead to a build up of disease and parasites and nasty little beasties.As the previouse post mentioned I just grow some new potatoes.If I had 5 acers I would contemplate being self sufficient in maincrop potatoes but otherwise I wouldn't bother with a lot

[Robert_S]

Thanks, yes that does make a lot of sense.

Note to self...no more buying small bags of spuds from the supermarket!

[Christine]

Question is - do you like salad as well as tomatoes? If so, get that down on the plot as it's expensive to buy and cheap to grow. Not too difficult either. Starting with something not too difficult is very good for getting off the being new stage as you can look at your plot and feel that you have achieved something.

Peas and all varieties of beans are as easy as anything in gardening can be. If you like them of course.

[NorfolkVeg]

Thanks, yes that does make a lot of sense.

Note to self...no more buying small bags of spuds from the supermarket!

Where are you in W.Norfolk Robert?

[Robert_S]

In Kings Lynn

[TerryB]

I'd go for 20% of the plot for each group.
ie 20% fixed beds
    20% cabbage etc
    20% Potatoes/Roots
    20% Onions etc
    20% Peas / Beans
If this gives more area than you want of that group you can plant Sweetcorn, Sqash etc in the surples. These can be fitted into any spare section and still keep a good rotation.

I must admit I tend to mix them up a bit.
ie I plant parsnips & lettuce in between rows of beans and pea's.

I've had no trouble growing potatoes in beds but only plant 1st& 2nd earlies.

I would hope to be about 70% self sufficient in veg over the year.
Only 2 of us at home but would still give away spare veg.
This is from a full size, 10 poles, plot
 

[Robert_S]

Thanks Terry (and Christine). The drainage on my plot isn't supposed to be the best, hence the decision to go raised bed. Also the bed idea appeals to the control freak in me   

70% self sufficient sounds good, fed up with handing over my hard earned to supermarkets for average produce.

[mobilekat]

+1 again to Steves advice

We get most of our bought veg from a box scheme- and combined with what we grow our veg bill has got alot smaller.
I have learnt this year to avoid what we tend to get in the boxes as being seasonal we tended to clash a bit. So like most others I grow the things that are more unusual, or that I eat tonnes of.

Garlic and basil and tomatos (often together) being prime ones!

[NorfolkVeg]

Robert

I'm at Clenchwarton Allotments.

Rick

[Aidy]

On the other side of the coin, around 5 rows (approx 20feet in length) would probably produce enough spuds to last the year if stored correct, and this wouldnt cost much more than 1 sack!
The idea of the lotty is you grow what you want to grow, one chap on our site just grows his staples, remember one more thing, the crops on your plot are probably going to be chemical free and organic and what price is that in the shops?
Raised beds do have some advantages, however they generally dry out quicker so its horses for courses, its your plot grow what you want but most of all enjoy everything there is to enjoy about being a plot holder.

[Robert_S]

Cheers Aidy, more food for thought! I must admit the thought of digging up my own potatoes does appeal.

Rick, I I was thinking about taking one on not far from you at West Lynn, luckily though there were a few available almost on my doorstep over at North Lynn, one of which was reasonably clear.